Checkout the pictures of the CroisiEurope Princess D’Aquitaine and Cyrano de Bergerac ships cruising in the Wine Region of Bordeaux France. We have 5, 6, and 7 day cruises and a great package with transfers and hotel in Paris combined with these short cruises.
Author Archives: Jan European Barging & River Cruises
Caprice Video
The 21 passenger Caprice barge cruises through the Burgundy region of France with visits to wineries, chateau, churches and other exciting sites. Call us to book your barge cruise – 888-869-7907.
Trier – Germany’s Oldest City Located on the Mosel River
Trier is a 4th Century Roman city located on Germany’s Mosel River and surrounded by vineyards and charming wine villages. Easy town to tour by foot or bicycle and their is a sightseeing train to go further in the hills.Luxury Barges, Casual Bike and Barge and River Cruises all Continue reading
Famous Reims Cathedral Stained Glass Windows by Marc Chagall
Marc Chagall- A World Renowned Artist
Marc Chagall was one of the most renowned and successful artists of the 20th century. He was born in 1887 and died in 1985. Though born in Russia, the artist spent the longest period of his life in France. This Russian-French artist is famous for various artistic styles and was a pioneer of modernism. He was fascinated with many artistic styles and created works in practically every medium of art such as paintings, stained glass, fine art prints, tapestries and book illustrations etc.
For a long time Marc Chagall has also been respected as the world’s pre-eminent Jewish artist due to the greatness and variety of his work. Chagall is famous for his works inspired by the Bible and for painting the ceiling of the Paris opera in 1963. He masterfully used the medium of stained-glass to produce windows for the cathedrals of Metz and Reims.
“God’s Lantern”
Metz’s stunning St. Stephen’s Cathedral, which has the second tallest nave in Europe, is also famous for Chagall windows shining among its 70,000 square feet of leaded glass artistry. This glass work makes it the most illuminated cathedral in France and causes the cathedral to be known as “God’s Lantern.”
St. Stephen’s is the only German church for which Marc Chagall created windows. Blue light shines through the stained-glass into the interior of St. Stephen’s, making angels and other Biblical figures apparently move ethereally in this light.
In 1974, Marc Chagall, in collaboration of the Jacques Simon Workshop, created three stained-glass windows for the axial chapel of the Cathedral in Reims.
The realization of these windows, which took six years (1968-1974), was made possible thanks to the donations of the Committee of Builders of Champagne-Ardenne, and a membership drive conducted by the Friends of the Reims Cathedral.
There is also a Marc Chagall Museum in Nice France. This museum is located on the top of the ancient hill of Cimiez and is surrounded by a beautiful garden planted with Mediterranean trees. This museum contains the largest collection of Marc Chagall’s works which are on display in a permanent exhibition.
Our barge cruises through the Champagne region of France include visits to Reims Cathedral and other wonderful places. Book your trip with us. Call today!
Comparing Luxury Barge Cruises with Casual Bike and Barge Cruises
Below is a brief description of the difference between a Full Service barge and a Casual Bike and barge cruise.
Many of the casual bike and barge cruises are 7 nights instead of the 6 nights on a regular full service barge. Prices range from $1640 to $3278 per person. Cruises are in Holland/Belgium, Germany, France and Italy. These barges range from 6, 20, 21, 22, 24 and 34 passengers.
These cruises are typically for serious cyclist as the biking ranges from 20KM – 65KM per day. Bikes on these barges are typically heavy duty bikes designed for cycling in the area. Many bike and barge cruises have electric bikes available at a cost of between $100 – $150 for a week.
Included in the price: 6 or 7 night cruise, guide for the cycling tours (except the Johanna which offers area maps, a GPS and pre paid cell phone), breakfast buffet including makings for your packed lunch, dinner (3 courses) on boat, water with meals, clean towels and bed linen delivered half way through the cruise and bike rental (with helmets).
Not included: entrance fees for museums and the like, drinks on board, Listed meals ashore and personal insurances and transfers to and from the barge.
Click here for a slideshow on a casual bike and barge cruise.
Luxury barges range in price from low $3000’s to over $7000 per person. We have several barges in the mid to high $4,000’s.
These rates include: 6 night cruise, daily maid service, bicycles on board for cycling, gourmet meals, wine and cheese of the region with lunch and dinner, open bar with alcoholic beverages and all the sightseeing. Some barges will have a small swimming pool or spa/Jacuzzi.
The prices are based on the features of the barges and wines provided. On the lower priced barges, you will be looking at cabins around 90 – 100 sq. ft., compact bathrooms – usually with a shower curtain and small shower stall. The wines will be regional wines. The more expensive barges will have larger cabins – 170 – 230 sq. ft. with larger bathrooms, big shower stalls with a glass door. Some of the wines will be premier and grand cru.
Barges also range from 4 (Bordeaux only), 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 and 18 passengers.
Many of the barges offer themed cruises – Gardens, wine, cycling, art, family and golf. Some of the regular barges, in addition to having the bikes on board for guests to cycle any time, also offer for charter, special biking itineraries. On these barges, the bikes are not the heavy duty cycling bikes but more for the casual cyclist. Only for a special cycling charter will you have the professional bikes.
Click here for a link to a barge cruise video.